A natural philosopher -- Lust in action: Shakespeare's ideas on sex and gender -- What is honour?: Shakespeare's ideas on politics and political theory -- Hold the mirror up to nature: Shakespeare's ideas on writing and acting -- What form of prayer can serve my turn?: Shakespeare's ideas on religious controversy and issues of faith -- Is man no more than this?: Shakespeare's ideas on scepticism, doubt, stoicism, pessimism, misanthropy -- Here our play has ending: ideas of closure in the late plays -- Credo.